scholarly journals Comparison of transcriptional initiation by RNA polymerase II across eukaryotic species

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Petrenko ◽  
Kevin Struhl
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Initiation Site ◽  
Transcriptional Initiation ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Activator Proteins ◽  
General Transcription Factors ◽  
Eukaryotic Species ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
And Function

The preinitiation complex (PIC) for transcriptional initiation by RNA polymerase (Pol) II is composed of general transcription factors that are highly conserved. However, analysis of ChIP-seq datasets reveals kinetic and compositional differences in the transcriptional initiation process among eukaryotic species. In yeast, Mediator associates strongly with activator proteins bound to enhancers, but it transiently associates with promoters in a form that lacks the kinase module. In contrast, in human, mouse, and fly cells, Mediator with its kinase module stably associates with promoters, but not with activator-binding sites. This suggests that yeast and metazoans differ in the nature of the dynamic bridge of Mediator between activators and Pol II and the composition of a stable inactive PIC-like entity. As in yeast, occupancies of TATA-binding protein (TBP) and TBP-associated factors (Tafs) at mammalian promoters are not strictly correlated. This suggests that within PICs, TFIID is not a monolithic entity, and multiple forms of TBP affect initiation at different classes of genes. TFIID in flies, but not yeast and mammals, interacts strongly at regions downstream of the initiation site, consistent with the importance of downstream promoter elements in that species. Lastly, Taf7 and the mammalian-specific Med26 subunit of Mediator also interact near the Pol II pause region downstream of the PIC, but only in subsets of genes and often not together. Species-specific differences in PIC structure and function are likely to affect how activators and repressors affect transcriptional activity.

scholarly journals Functions of the N- and C-Terminal Domains of Human RAP74 in Transcriptional Initiation, Elongation, and Recycling of RNA Polymerase II

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2130-2142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lei Lei ◽  
Delin Ren ◽  
Ann Finkelstein ◽  
Zachary F. Burton
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcriptional Initiation ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Multiple Round ◽  
Major Late Promoter ◽  
Central Loop ◽  
Transcription Cycle ◽  
Terminal Domains

ABSTRACT Transcription factor IIF (TFIIF) cooperates with RNA polymerase II (pol II) during multiple stages of the transcription cycle including preinitiation complex assembly, initiation, elongation, and possibly termination and recycling. Human TFIIF appears to be an α2β2 heterotetramer of RNA polymerase II-associating protein 74- and 30-kDa subunits (RAP74 and RAP30). From inspection of its 517-amino-acid (aa) sequence, the RAP74 subunit appears to comprise separate N- and C-terminal domains connected by a flexible loop. In this study, we present functional data that strongly support this model for RAP74 architecture and further show that the N- and C-terminal domains and the central loop of RAP74 have distinct roles during separate phases of the transcription cycle. The N-terminal domain of RAP74 (minimally aa 1 to 172) is sufficient to deliver pol II into a complex formed on the adenovirus major late promoter with the TATA-binding protein, TFIIB, and RAP30. A more complete N-terminal domain fragment (aa 1 to 217) strongly stimulates both accurate initiation and elongation by pol II. The region of RAP74 between aa 172 and 205 and a subregion between aa 170 and 178 are critical for both accurate initiation and elongation, and mutations in these regions have similar effects on initiation and elongation. Based on these observations, RAP74 appears to have similar functions in initiation and elongation. The central region and the C-terminal domain of RAP74 do not contribute strongly to single-round accurate initiation or elongation stimulation but do stimulate multiple-round transcription in an extract system.

scholarly journals Postrecruitment Regulation of RNA Polymerase II Directs Rapid Signaling Responses at the Promoters of Estrogen Target Genes

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 1123-1133 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miltiadis Kininis ◽  
Gary D. Isaacs ◽  
Leighton J. Core ◽  
Nasun Hah ◽  
W. Lee Kraus
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Target Genes ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Estrogen Signaling ◽  
Gene Promoters ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Activator Proteins ◽  
Classical Models ◽  
Target Promoters

ABSTRACT Under classical models for signal-dependent transcription in eukaryotes, DNA-binding activator proteins regulate the recruitment of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) to a set of target promoters. However, recent studies, as well as our results herein, show that Pol II is widely distributed (i.e., “preloaded”) at the promoters of many genes prior to specific signaling events. How Pol II recruitment and Pol II preloading fit within a unified model of gene regulation is unclear. In addition, the mechanisms through which cellular signals activate preloaded Pol II across mammalian genomes remain largely unknown. We show here that the predominant genomic outcome of estrogen signaling is the postrecruitment regulation of Pol II activity at target gene promoters, likely through specific changes in Pol II phosphorylation rather than through recruitment of Pol II to the promoters. Furthermore, we show that negative elongation factor binds to estrogen target promoters in conjunction with preloaded Pol II and represses gene expression until the appropriate signal is received. Finally, our studies reveal that the estrogen-dependent activation of preloaded Pol II facilitates rapid gene regulatory responses which play important physiological roles in regulating estrogen signaling itself. Our results reveal a broad use of postrecruitment Pol II regulation by the estrogen signaling pathway, a mode of regulation that is likely to apply to a wide variety of signal-regulated pathways.

scholarly journals A region internal to the coding sequences is essential for transcription of the yeast Ty-D15 element.

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 3667-3678 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Yu ◽  
R T Elder
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Transposable Element ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Initiation Site ◽  
Direct Repeats ◽  
Yeast Gene ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Transcriptional Initiation ◽  
Coding Sequences ◽  
Transcription Signals

The major transcript of the yeast transposable element Ty1 has its 5' end in one delta and the 3' end in the opposite delta, the direct repeats of about 335 base pairs (bp) at each end of the element. The transcriptional initiation signals of the Ty-D15 element that give rise to this transcript were found to have a number of unusual characteristics. The 5' delta by itself, which contained the initiation site for Ty transcription, gave no detectable transcription. A region internal to the transcript in a translated part of the element and about 140 bp downstream of the 5' delta was essential for initiation of the major Ty transcript. This internal activating region (IAR) had several interesting properties. When the portion of the delta upstream of the initiation site was replaced with DNA fragments that did not by themselves act as promoters, initiation directed by the IAR still occurred at about the same position, 200 to 400 bp upstream of the IAR. If fragments containing the IAR were inverted, transcription could still occur. When 468 or 636 bp was inserted between the delta and the IAR, initiations occurred near the normal delta initiation site and in the inserted DNA. Therefore, the location and properties of transcription signals for Ty-D15 differ considerably from those expected for a yeast gene transcribed by RNA polymerase II.

A region internal to the coding sequences is essential for transcription of the yeast Ty-D15 element

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 3667-3678
Author(s):  
K Yu ◽  
R T Elder
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Transposable Element ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Initiation Site ◽  
Direct Repeats ◽  
Yeast Gene ◽  
Base Pairs ◽  
Transcriptional Initiation ◽  
Coding Sequences ◽  
Transcription Signals

The major transcript of the yeast transposable element Ty1 has its 5' end in one delta and the 3' end in the opposite delta, the direct repeats of about 335 base pairs (bp) at each end of the element. The transcriptional initiation signals of the Ty-D15 element that give rise to this transcript were found to have a number of unusual characteristics. The 5' delta by itself, which contained the initiation site for Ty transcription, gave no detectable transcription. A region internal to the transcript in a translated part of the element and about 140 bp downstream of the 5' delta was essential for initiation of the major Ty transcript. This internal activating region (IAR) had several interesting properties. When the portion of the delta upstream of the initiation site was replaced with DNA fragments that did not by themselves act as promoters, initiation directed by the IAR still occurred at about the same position, 200 to 400 bp upstream of the IAR. If fragments containing the IAR were inverted, transcription could still occur. When 468 or 636 bp was inserted between the delta and the IAR, initiations occurred near the normal delta initiation site and in the inserted DNA. Therefore, the location and properties of transcription signals for Ty-D15 differ considerably from those expected for a yeast gene transcribed by RNA polymerase II.

scholarly journals Structural and Functional Characterization of PC2 and RNA Polymerase II-Associated Subpopulations of Metazoan Mediator

2005 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 2117-2129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sohail Malik ◽  
Hwa Jin Baek ◽  
Weizhen Wu ◽  
Robert G. Roeder
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
In Vitro Transcription ◽  
Dynamic Nature ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
General Transcription Factors

ABSTRACT The coactivator complexes TRAP/SMCC and PC2 represent two forms of Mediator. To further understand the implications of the heterogeneity of the cellular Mediator populations for regulation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription, we used a combination of affinity and conventional chromatographic methods. Our analysis revealed a spectrum of complexes, including some containing significant proportions of Pol II. Interestingly, the subunit composition of the Pol II-associated Mediator population resembled that of PC2 more closely than that of the larger TRAP/SMCC complex. In in vitro transcription assays reconstituted from homogeneous preparations of general transcription factors, Mediator-associated Pol II displayed a greater specific activity (relative to that of standard Pol II) in activator-independent (basal) transcription in addition to the previously described effects of Mediator on activator-dependent transcription. Purified PC2 complex also stimulated basal activity under these conditions. Immobilized template assays in which activator-recruited preinitiation complexes were allowed to undergo one cycle of transcription revealed partial disruption of Mediator that resulted in a PC2-like complex being retained in the scaffold. This result implies that PC2 could originate as a result of a normal cellular process. Our results are thus consistent with a dynamic nature of the Mediator complex and further extend the functional similarities between Saccharomyces cerevisiae and metazoan Mediator complexes.

scholarly journals The Swi/Snf Complex Is Important for Histone Eviction during Transcriptional Activation and RNA Polymerase II Elongation In Vivo

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (20) ◽  
pp. 6987-6995 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc A. Schwabish ◽  
Kevin Struhl
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Elongation Factor ◽  
Nucleosome Remodeling ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Activator Proteins ◽  
Coding Regions ◽  
Internal Initiation

ABSTRACT The Swi/Snf nucleosome-remodeling complex is recruited by DNA-binding activator proteins, whereupon it alters chromatin structure to increase preinitiation complex formation and transcription. At the SUC2 promoter, the Swi/Snf complex is required for histone eviction in a manner that is independent of transcriptional activity. Swi/Snf travels through coding regions with elongating RNA polymerase (Pol) II, and swi2 mutants exhibit sensitivity to drugs affecting Pol elongation. In FACT-depleted cells, Swi/Snf is important for internal initiation within coding regions, suggesting that Swi/Snf is important for histone eviction that occurs during Pol II elongation. Taken together, these observations suggest that Swi/Snf is important for histone eviction at enhancers and that it also functions as a Pol II elongation factor.

scholarly journals MCM Proteins Are Associated with RNA Polymerase II Holoenzyme

1999 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 6154-6163 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Yankulov ◽  
I. Todorov ◽  
P. Romanowski ◽  
D. Licatalosi ◽  
K. Cilli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Immunoaffinity Chromatography ◽  
Affinity Column ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
General Transcription Factors ◽  
Initiation Of Dna Replication ◽  
Mcm Proteins ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii Holoenzyme

ABSTRACT MCMs are a family of proteins related to ATP-dependent helicases that bind to origin recognition complexes and are required for initiation of DNA replication. We report that antibodies against MCM2(BM28) specifically inhibited transcription by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in microinjected Xenopus oocytes. Consistent with this observation, MCM2 and other MCMs copurified with Pol II and general transcription factors (GTFs) in high-molecular-weight holoenzyme complexes isolated from Xenopus oocytes and HeLa cells. Pol II and GTFs also copurified with MCMs isolated by anti-MCM3 immunoaffinity chromatography. MCMs were specifically displaced from the holoenzyme complex by antibody against the C-terminal domain (CTD) of Pol II. In addition, MCMs bound to a CTD affinity column, suggesting that their association with holoenzyme depends in part on this domain of Pol II. These results suggest a new function for MCM proteins as components of the Pol II transcriptional apparatus.

scholarly journals Requirements for RNA polymerase II preinitiation complex formation in vivo

eLife ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalia Petrenko ◽  
Yi Jin ◽  
Liguo Dong ◽  
Koon Ho Wong ◽  
Kevin Struhl
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Preinitiation Complex ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
General Transcription Factors ◽  
Nucleotide Triphosphates

Transcription by RNA polymerase II requires assembly of a preinitiation complex (PIC) composed of general transcription factors (GTFs) bound at the promoter. In vitro, some GTFs are essential for transcription, whereas others are not required under certain conditions. PICs are stable in the absence of nucleotide triphosphates, and subsets of GTFs can form partial PICs. By depleting individual GTFs in yeast cells, we show that all GTFs are essential for TBP binding and transcription, suggesting that partial PICs do not exist at appreciable levels in vivo. Depletion of FACT, a histone chaperone that travels with elongating Pol II, strongly reduces PIC formation and transcription. In contrast, TBP-associated factors (TAFs) contribute to transcription of most genes, but TAF-independent transcription occurs at substantial levels, preferentially at promoters containing TATA elements. PICs are absent in cells deprived of uracil, and presumably UTP, suggesting that transcriptionally inactive PICs are removed from promoters in vivo.

scholarly journals Heat Shock Causes a Reversible Increase in RNA Polymerase II Occupancy Downstream of mRNA Genes, Consistent with a Global Loss in Transcriptional Termination

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (18) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph F. Cardiello ◽  
James A. Goodrich ◽  
Jennifer F. Kugel
Keyword(s):  
Heat Shock ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcriptional Repression ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Global Changes ◽  
Transcriptional Initiation ◽  
Pol Ii ◽  
Transcriptional Termination ◽  
Number Of Genes

ABSTRACT Cellular transcriptional programs are tightly controlled but can profoundly change in response to environmental challenges or stress. Here we describe global changes in mammalian RNA polymerase II (Pol II) occupancy at mRNA genes in response to heat shock and after recovery from the stress. After a short heat shock, Pol II occupancy across thousands of genes decreased, consistent with widespread transcriptional repression, whereas Pol II occupancy increased at a small number of genes in a manner consistent with activation. Most striking, however, was loss of the Pol II peak near the 3′ ends of mRNA genes, coupled to a gain in polymerase occupancy extending tens of kilobases downstream of 3′ ends. Typical patterns of 3′ end occupancy were largely restored 60 min after cells returned to normal growth temperatures. These changes in polymerase occupancy revealed a heat shock-induced loss of normal termination, which was potent, global, and reversible. The occupancy of the termination factor CPSF73 at the 3′ ends of representative genes was reduced after heat shock, suggesting a mechanism for impaired termination. The data support a model in which heat shock induces widespread repression of transcriptional initiation and loss of transcription termination, which reverses as cells return to homeostasis.

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